Pets in the Workplace: Is It a Good or Bad Idea?

The benefits of allowing pets in the workplace

In most cases, allowing pets to come to work really means dogs. In fact, National Take Your Dog to Work Day has been a popular “holiday” since 1999, which shows how popular canine companions are. However, some companies also welcome cats, birds and other animals as part of their office pet policies.

Here are some of the top benefits of allowing employees to bring pets to work:

1. Pets in the office can help with employee recruitment and retention.

There’s no denying that pets are beloved companions. In fact, according to the Pew Research Center, 97 percent of pet owners consider their pet part of their family. Pets are so ubiquitous that many job seekers evaluate potential pet-related employee benefits when considering a job offer.

Allowing pets in the office can be a great way to improve employee recruitment and retention, especially if you’re managing a multigenerational workforce. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 94 million U.S. homes have at least one pet in residence. Millennials are some of the biggest pet lovers; according to Statista, 32 percent of all pet owners are millennials, followed by Gen X at 24 percent. The APPA noted that Gen Zers, who are steadily rising in the ranks in the workforce, now comprise 20 percent of pet ownership.

This wide swath of pet ownership means your employees are very likely to have a pet and may appreciate saving on doggy daycare. They may also be more willing to stay late if they don’t have to rush home to tend to their furry companions.

2. Pets in the office can improve company morale.

Forward-thinking businesses that allow furry or feathered friends to come to work with employees tend to have creative, open working environments. When the corporate culture emphasizes providing an excellent employee experience, workplace morale can skyrocket.

Allowing pets at work can show your staff how much you care about them, which can make them feel happier and more appreciated.

3. Pets in the office can facilitate employee bonding, which motivates good work.

Some employees may feel more comfortable speaking to a co-worker if there’s a pet around to break the ice. Having animals in the office has been shown to encourage interactions between employees who wouldn’t usually venture outside their comfort zones. This tendency can eventually lead to increased workplace collaboration, teamwork and innovation. Additionally, employees tend to have greater compassion and understanding for their co-workers when they form a personal bond with them.

4. Pets in the office can improve employee health.

Having furry friends around can have positive effects on employees’ well-being. For starters, office pets require employees to get up from their desks to walk or play with their animals, which is good for employees’ physical health.

Office pets can also reduce productivity-killing workplace stress, improving overall mental health. According to research from the National Institutes of Health, interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) and lower blood pressure. Reducing employee stress should be a priority for all employers for numerous reasons, including the fact that reduced stress can improve workplace safety. Less stress often leads to fewer stress-related workplace accidents, injuries and illnesses, helping lower accompanying healthcare costs.

5. Pets in the office can help prevent employee burnout.

Pets are known to make people happy. For this reason, their presence may ultimately help workers avoid employee burnout. It’s easy for employees to dive into their work for hours on end without taking any breaks. Having their pets (or co-workers’ pets) nearby can remind them to take occasional breaks, allowing them to mentally reset before continuing their workday. These built-in breaks can reduce the potential for employee burnout.

Reasons not to allow pets in the workplace

Although allowing pets in the workplace brings many potential benefits, it’s not always a viable option. Here are some reasons you may not want to allow your team to bring pets to work.

1. Employees may have allergies or a fear of animals.

The presence of an animal could understandably threaten someone’s well-being and sense of safety. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, as many as three in 10 people with allergies react to cats and dogs, with cat allergies being about twice as common as dog allergies. In some cases, these allergies can be considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. As such, they should be respected and accommodated in the workplace. 

Before allowing animals in the workplace, be sure to survey your employees to establish whether there are allergies to consider or strong personal preferences that would make animals in the workplace a difficult and uncomfortable experience for someone.

2. Pets may not be conducive to a safe or sanitary work environment.

Certain industries can’t permit animals on-site for sanitation or safety reasons — for example, if the workplace must be sterile. You wouldn’t want a shedding dog in a laboratory, a cafe or anywhere sterile supplies, meals or manufactured products are made or packaged.

Similarly, noisy or hazardous work environments are not appropriate for on-site pets. For example, construction sites, machining facilities and mining operations can be very loud and disturbing to pets — not to mention that it’s dangerous for animals to wander loose and potentially get injured.

3. Pets may be distracting or otherwise curb productivity.

While workplace pets can improve employee bonding, morale and motivation, they may also prove distracting and detrimental to overall productivity. This is especially true for employees with noisy or energetic pets that require extensive attention, although even the most docile animals require care, supervision and breaks to relieve themselves. And while the occasional pet break can be great for productivity and well-being, when those breaks take up too much time, their presence might be counterproductive.

4. Pets may increase your legal liability.

Animals in the workplace come with increased responsibility and liability. You may be held responsible for personal injury or property damage caused by employees’ pets or even customers’ pets at your place of business. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost of a dog bite claim is $69,272, representing a significant financial risk for businesses.

Pets are ultimately unpredictable — property damage and injuries are possibilities with even the most mild-mannered animals in specific situations.

5. Your office landlord may not allow pets.

Regardless of your personal views on employee pets in the workplace, your office space’s rules may limit you. Some businesses might embrace the idea of having friendly, fun pets around to brighten everyone’s day, but building regulations might restrict the presence of animals. Always check with your building owner before allowing pets to roam the halls.

Tips for allowing pets in the workplace

If you decide to allow pets in your workplace, consider the following best practices to ensure the experience is enjoyable for everyone, including the pets:

• Understand the legalities involved. First, see if allowing pets in the office is a legally viable option. If so, consult your business insurance provider to ensure you’re covered in the event of issues or pet-related problems.
• Ensure everyone is on board. The goal is to make your workplace happier and improve morale. However, if many employees are against the idea of in-office pets, you’ll end up with a fractured team. Survey your staff to determine how everyone feels about allowing pets in the office. Your staff and company culture will play significant roles in this decision.
• Draft a comprehensive pet policy. If you decide to move forward with office pets, draft a comprehensive pet policy outlining what is and isn’t permitted in the workplace. This policy can include details such as acceptable animal types and temperaments, hygiene and behavior rules (e.g., pets must be housebroken) and office etiquette.
• Ensure everyone understands the pet policy. Share your policy with each employee and review the consequences of noncompliance (for example, what happens if someone’s pet becomes too distracting or frightening to others?).
• Continually monitor the situation. An in-office pet policy requires careful monitoring and periodic reviews to ensure your positive goals are being met and the decision isn’t adversely affecting any team members. Review your pet policy at least yearly to keep it current with your office needs.

Rules for service animals and therapy animals

Your office should also be aware of the rules and regulations surrounding certified service animals and emotional support animals.

Certified service animals

Certified service animals are not pets. Instead, they’re a necessary tool to help some individuals overcome specific challenges. They are considered a “reasonable accommodation” under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As such, they are almost always allowed in the workplace by law. Under the ADA, service animals are limited to dogs (and in rare cases, miniature horses) that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.

If a disabled employee with a service animal asks their employer to allow the service animal to be present at the workplace, the employer must take the request seriously. An employer may ask the employee for more information about their disability and how the service dog will help the employee perform their job duties.

Employers are expected to accommodate service dogs under the following conditions:

• The service dog’s ability and the individual’s disability are related.
• The service dog will help the person perform their job functions.
• The service dog is sufficiently trained so it will not disrupt the workplace.
• The service dog’s presence will not create an undue hardship.

If the service animal’s sole duties involve safely getting the employee to and from work, the employer can set aside an acceptable area for the dog to spend the workday. The employee would be responsible for caring for the dog while at work, including walking and cleaning up after it when needed.

Emotional support animals

Emotional support animals do not fall into the same category as service animals, so the ADA does not require employers to allow them in the workplace. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development clarifies that emotional support animals provide companionship and emotional support but are not trained to perform specific tasks related to a disability.

Typically, allowing an emotional support animal is up to the employer’s discretion, but check with your state laws to be sure. For example, California has relatively friendly policies in this area that may require an employer to make reasonable accommodations for the individual making the request.

Beyond state regulations, if an employee asks to bring an emotional support animal to work, consider reviewing the situation just as you would any other accommodation request. Investigate the employee’s request and verify the need, if appropriate. Discuss the situation with the employee and see if the emotional support animal could safely coexist in the work environment. If the animal isn’t disruptive and the workplace can handle its presence, weigh the benefits of accommodating your employee. You can always allow it on a trial basis and see how it goes. You may be able to retain a valuable team member by making minimal accommodations.